My family got involved with Sai
Baba about 22 years ago when I was 14. One of my family members had a prominent leadership
role in the community.

At the age of 16, I came across some Baba teachings which condoned violence against women
and I read some inaccurate historical statements made by Baba. I also noticed an
anti-western slant (ie. ranting vs 'western' decadence specifically the 2 sins of lust and
greed) which had a strong, dishonest emotional charge to it. Spiritual leaders don't react
so much from a personality level, they are in their essence more. Being in one's essence
more implies to me anyway these qualities: kindness, a lack of reactive emotionalism, a
dignified confidence and wisdom, so I was very confused.

Anyway, when I raised these three issues with my family and several prominent Baba
leaders, I was treated like a traitor. Unquestioning obedience was required. I was told
not to throw baby out with bathwater.

I noticed that when I got an interview, got a pendant from baba, i was trotted around like
a one-trick pony...I was not a baby thrower anymore. I remember one baba devotee actually
taking a picture of my pendant trying to prove that a spiritual aura was emanating from
it. I remember enjoying my elevated status for at least a month. I remember looking at my
white grade 11 classmates thinking, "what a bunch of decadent losers. i'm more
evolved than them. baba loves meeeeee." IT was a big ego trip, my family loved my
obediance. my marks improved. Then, I got disgusted with this farce and threw the pendant
out of the window. It was a pivotal moment in my life.

I also noticed that if one spouse believed in Baba, and the other one didn't, some leaders
would try to put down the non-believer (which led to marriages deteriorating), that there
was a lot of one upmanship going on (e.g. "I got an interview", "Baba
looked at me"...)

There were NO checks and balances, accountability, independent peer review, accreditation,
supervision, etc. in this organization. It is set up for corruption and abuse. I have
heard some leaders say some outrageous, immoral and unethical things, with no fear of any
repurcussion. They think they are above the law. The arrogance was unbelievable...

There were also incidents of cruelty directed against me, which hurt esp. as a teenager
trying to develop a sense of self.

I hope this helps in understanding my position. I don't feel like getting into specifics
because I'm not sure how 'safe' this board is yet...

Baba has a very distorted view of sexuality - his emotional charge re: lust and greed are
classic examples of 'shadow boxing'. I believe in the victims - their stories have the
ring of truth to them.

Sincerely, Shobie

Questions and remarks
from Andries

Message 3934

Date: 1/9/02 5:47 p.m.

>>At the age of 16, I came
across some Baba teachings which condoned violence against women and I read some
inaccurate historical statements made by Baba. <<

Could you give references about these 2 items? I couldn't find any inaccurate historical
statements apart from Jesus birthdate.

>>There were NO checks and balances, accountability, independent peer review,
accreditation, supervision, etc. in this organization. It is set up for corruption and
abuse. I have heard some leaders say some outrageous, immoral and unethical things, with
no fear of any repurcussion. They think they are above the law. The arrogance was
unbelievable...<<

I never noticed this. It is not my experience. It differs per center probably.

Thanks in advance

Answers from Shobie

Message 3938

Date: 1/9/02 7:34 p.m.

Hi Andries,

Was there any channel for
complaints from Sai devotees to be heard? Well, if there was, it certainly wasn't brought
to my attention. I certainly did not get a chance to connect with other people who had the
same issues I had. I didn't 'see' or 'notice' people who had the same issues because there
was no organizational integrity.

Any organization with such power HAS to have checks and balances. I work in the
educational field. We don't pretend to teach the ultimate truth and that our teachers are
avatars. I don't flounce around with freshly materialized textbooks. Yet, I know that our
school, without peer review, accreditation, supervision, feedback, an avenue for student
complaints, student representation on our board of directors, an ethics policy, site
visits, etc. the abuse of power would be inevitable. Or certain concerns would not get the
attention they deserve, or be trivialized.

I think the sexist statement and historical stuff was in some of the satya sai baba speaks
books. there was something about a woman being beaten by her husband and then a statement
saying that a husband had a right to do this. It was a long time ago. I wish I had
documented it.

If there is a Sai Baba library in Toronto, Canada, I could do some research. I don't feel
like knocking on devotee's doors or wasting my $ buying his books, though.

I can think of 3 specific incidents of cruelty by Sai Baba leaders. One was attempted
obstruction of justice involving a criminal court case, another was discrimination in
school admission, another was cruelty involving a woman who had just tried to commit
suicide.

I know of nice well-intentioned people who worship Baba and funnel money into the
organization. Intention doesn't have to be there to cause harm. Ignorance can cause harm.

If ADULTS want to worship Baba, then there is an element of choice and self-responsibilty
there. What gets my goat is that vulnerable kids/teenagers are involved.